Forks & Spoons: In addition to its star system, Michelin rates restaurants by fork and spoon symbols. One to five forks and spoons are awarded based solely on the comfort of a restaurant, rather than the quality of its food. In practice, however, the large majority of these restaurants receive either one or two forks and spoons. The guide lists substantially many more “fork and spoon” restaurants than star restaurants. You will eat well at a fork and spoon restaurant, but the cooking quality has been judged less than a one star.
So far, so good, but here is where it gets complicated. Some restaurants with stars also have forks and spoons, but others do not. There are even some three star restaurants without a single fork and spoon. Does the guide mean to suggest that these restaurants are uncomfortable? Of course not, since a restaurant cannot be awarded three stars unless it is an exceptionally comfortable place to dine. Why, then, do only some stared restaurants receive forks and spoons? The answer in part appears to be that when a stared restaurant is in a rated hotel, the comfort of the restaurant is not separately evaluated. Apparently, the rating of the hotel conveys the comfort of the restaurant.
Red Symbols: A small percentage of restaurants have their stars and/or forks and spoons printed in red rather than black. A red symbol is Michelin’s way of indicating that the restaurant is a particularly pleasant place to dine. The restaurant may, for example, be housed in a medieval building or restored farmhouse. The quality of the food will be the same, whether the symbol is in black or red. The ambiance, however, will be different.
Bib Gourmand: Eating at starred restaurants is expensive. In October 2006, one euro was the equivalent of $1.27. At that exchange rate, a medium priced dinner for two with a reasonably priced bottle of wine should run approximately $700 in a three star, $400 in a two star, and $250 in a one star restaurant. The cost of dining at the few four and five fork and spoon restaurants can approach that of a two star, while a dinner for two at a one fork and spoon restaurant should be around $75-$100. Expect to pay more at any restaurant with a red symbol. (You should remember, however, that these prices all include tax and service.)
If you would prefer to eat less expensively, yet have a very good meal, the Michelin guide has just the symbol for you. Restaurants with good food at reasonable prices are highlighted by a special symbol—the smiling head of the “Michelin Man” in red. The man is known as Bibendum, and the rating is referred to as “Bib Gourmand”. In the 2006 guide, there were 481 Bib Gourmand restaurants in all of France. Most of these restaurants have been awarded either one or two forks and spoons.